Child road safety in focus #SaveKidsLives

CHILD road safety is the emphasis as the United Nations hosts its third Global Road Safety Week (4-10 May).

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that car crashes are the leading cause of injury or death among children and young adults and the campaign #SaveKidsLives is calling for action to stop this preventable trend.

Some 1 460 children are killed on South African roads every year, with many others being injured.

South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and 130 other worldwide NGOs work with WHO and belong to the ‘Global Alliance of NGOs Advocating for Road Safety and Road Victims’.

#SaveKidsLives is about getting young people involved, do their own filming and sign pledges, which are forwarded to politicians and media.

‘Children are acting as ambassadors to reach out to the officials in charge of road safety, asking for changes,’ said SADD’s Caro Smit.

‘They voiced their thoughts and fears about travelling on the roads and said what they need to be kept safe on the roads.

‘We hope the government will listen to the kids’ voices.’

#SaveKidsLives #SaigrenPillay headmaster #BisleySchool asks 4 proper school buses in his #safie @_ArriveAlive @UNRSC pic.twitter.com/e1bFRKzD7t

— SA Agst DrunkDriving (@SADD_SA) May 7, 2015

The 10 main strategies to bring down child road deaths are listed as:

• Controlling speed – 30km/h limits outside schools.

• Reducing drinking and driving/walking.

• Using helmets for cyclists and bikers.

• Restraining children in vehicles – appropriate seatbelts front and back for all ages.

• Improving children’s ability to see and be seen – light clothes, reflective strips

• Enhancing road infrastructure – speed humps, pavements, patrol officers, robots.

• Adapting vehicle design – alcohol ignition interlocks, cameras and audible reverse.

• Reducing risks for young drivers – lower/zero alcohol limit, no texting, graduated licences.

• Providing appropriate care for injured children – emergency care, rehabilitation.

• Supervising children around roads – making them buckle up and use helmets.

‘Enforcement of these strategies is the most important element to bring down deaths and injuries by 50% by 2020 and fulfil SA’s pledge in this ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety’,’ said Smit.

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Tweet SA against Drunk Driving @SADD_SA